A SCHEME is being launched to improve the dental health of people in the Durham Dales.

The area has the third highest incidence of dental decay in the North-East and the rate is 50 per cent higher than the national average.

Sixty per cent of children in the dales suffer from dental decay, compared with 40 per cent nationally.

By launching the strategy, the Durham Dales Primary Care Trust (PCT) is hoping to improve the statistics.

The trust is targeting deprived areas that have the greatest oral health problems.

Dr David Landes, director of public health for the trust, said: "There is a clear link between deprivation and poor dental health.

"One of the things we are doing is going into schools that have high levels of dental disease and giving them fluoridated milk. Some of these kids are from the poorest backgrounds and they are getting the benefit of a third of a pint of full cream milk."

Another problem facing the trust is the rural nature of the area, with many people in isolated communities facing difficulties getting access to a dentist.

From October, under new Government guidelines, the trust will be able to commission dental services in order to meet the needs of the local population.

A dental room is being created at Stanhope health centre and an additional development is under way at Coundon, which will house a dental surgery.

The trust is also working with other services, including the mobile dental unit in Middleton-in-Teesdale, which provides much-needed dental care for people in the rural community.

The strategy will also focus on general health issues which also affect teeth, including healthy diet, smoking and drinking alcohol. It is also intended to work with younger children, alongside services including SureStart.

Dr Landes said: "SureStart is a wonderful opportunity to get parents and children at a young age and teach them about how to keep children's teeth free from disease and introduce them to things like brushing and good diets.

"We are making a statement of what the PCT is planning to do to address the oral health problems. The interventions we are planning to do we know will be of benefit to the local population."

The strategy is the subject of consultation but is expected to be launched shortly.